house of fraser
Bargain Decorating and Furniture Buying Tips
NINE STEPS TO CREDIT CRUNCH DECORATING.
Stylish ways to shop smart during the credit crunch.
1. SALE SHOPS
Check out your nearest HomeSense, the homeware sister to TKMaxx. Also investigate Trade Secrets and National Brands with lines from Laura Ashley, House of Fraser, John Lewis and M&S.
2. ONLINE OFFERS
Annoyed but intrigued by all those 20% off offers that keep being forwarded to your inbox? Sign up to vouchercodes.co.uk, and access them all from one manageable website. Also try secretsales.com – an online sale club with discounts of up to 80% – moneysavingexpert.com, and moneysupermarket.com.
3. USE SHOPBOTS
Price comparison sites sift through retail sites to find the cheapest – but use at least three – from kelkoo.co.uk, pricerunner.co.uk, pricegrabber.co.uk and shopping.com – as not all retailers have relationships with all of them.’
4. GET A STORECARD
…but don’t use it. Many lure you in with a massive discount on your first purchase, which is great if you are furnishing a home. Take out the card, use the discount, access the privilege club, then pay the bill and cut the card up.
5. FREE AND EASY
Check out freecycle.org and pick up other people’s unwanted items. Great if you want old furniture to customise.
6. BE CHEEKY
Many sales personnel will go to great lengths to land a sale so don’t be afraid to ask for a discount. Or offer to pay in cash, which saves them on credit card commission.
7. FACTORY SHOPS AND OUTLETS
Some of our favourites include include Arthur Price, the Fired Earth Outlet, Christopher Wray Lighting, OKA Discount Shop, Portmerion, Sanderson Clearance, Waterford Crystal, Wedgewood and Wesley Barrell. Go to their websites to join the mailing list of your favourites and you’ll get prior notice about special sales and exclusive discounts.
8. OUTLET VILLAGES
With manufacturers increasingly producing merchandise specifically to sell through outlets, they no longer have that ‘last-season’s reject’ vibe. One of the smartest is Bicester Village with the likes of Cath Kidston, the White Company, Bodum, Descamps, Molton Brown, Calvin Klein and Paul Smith at bargain prices. Also try York Designer Outlet, Cheshire Oaks, Ashford and Gunwharf Quays.
9. HIGH DESIGN ON THE HIGH STREET
Savvy shoppers will already know to head to Habitat, who have enlisted the talent of top names such as Paola Navone, David Adjaye, Daisy de Villneuve, Christian Lacroix and Celia Birtwell to add to their already impressive collection. Graham & Brown have produced wallpaper ranges with Basso and Brooke, Barbara Hulaniki and Marcel Wanders, whilst Debenhams have long had collaborations with a Matthew Williamson, Julien Macdonald and John Rocha. House of Fraser stock both Jaeger and Ghost bed linen and Orla Kiely’s new collection for Heals launched last autumn. Designer style at high street prices – what’s not to like?
Visit our decorating archive for more modern decorating ideas.
How To Dress To Impress At The Office Christmas Party
It’s the party season, where ladies get to show off their latest finery and gentlemen wear their best suave suits – all for the aim to dress to impress at the annual Christmas party at work. Be the belle of the ball this season ladies, with some of our 2010 fashion for Christmas parties tips.
Already, we have seen launched this season the Christmas party lines from House of Fraser and French Connection, designer brands that have the latest trends and fashions for the winter party season. Their exclusive lines host a great number of versatile styles from the prom dress to the 80′s cocktail dress, making available a style to suit all women, from the curvier woman to the petite lady.
Winter 2010, will see various dress styles from throughout the year make an appearance at the office Christmas party. A few of the most fashionable styles we have seen so far will make a comeback this season. Influenced by the 1970′s and 80′s, one shouldered dresses will be the cocktail dresses to define this season’s spirit of Christmas cheer and fun. Maxi dresses will also barge their way back onto the party scene for winter, but in shinier and darker fabrics. Tiered and ruffled prom dresses will bring the cute and feminine look to the annual office Christmas party, whilst a smarter and sleek look will arrive from snug fitting 50′s dresses with square necks.
As usual with the Christmas party season, we will see the well renowned little black dress daring to impress, but besides this favourite number, we are to this season see Jewel colours influence the fashion of the Christmas party. Jewel blues, purples and greens with a bright hue will brighten up the Christmas party dance floor this season, making many ladies the gem of the ball this season. Browns with a tint of white or pink are also set to revive Christmas party fashions, adding a softer look to evening wear. Furthermore, metallic colours in conjunction with softer browns and gold’s will make your outfit the sparkling centerpiece of the Christmas party!
Plain party dress? Or patterns? Both are in this season and will look great in the jewel colours and metallic’s of this season. Sequined and jewel dresses, a good party classic from the last few years will return to the Christmas party – perfect for a truly sparkly girl! New for the 2010 season is the winter floral dress, which incorporates the soft feminine patterns of summer but much bolder and brighter, with a higher level of contrast. Jacquard and silk printed dresses are also been offered as alternatives to the plain dress.
Fabrics this year will really speak of luxury, as popular fabric will include silk, satin, lace and velvet – all of the most luxurious fabrics. Satin will be a particular favorite as it will create that bright jeweled shine that will make any lady stand out from the crowd. Well fitted and prom lace dresses are perfect for that feminine but sexy look, which will make any man’s eyes wander your way.
Whatever dress you decide to choose upon, there’s bound to be a dress this season to compliment your figure and style. You can easily find out what dress shape compliments your figure online or via the House of Fraser’s website.
Amazing 40th Birthday Gifts for Women
40th birthday gifts are always tricky, especially if the one you intend to give the gift to is sensitive about age.
So if you are a man wanting to give a woman something special, then try these interesting 40th birthday gifts.
How about a short course on cooking? With a Novelli Cooking Course, your special girl can improve her culinary skills by getting some valuable hands-on experience on cooking some of Jean-Christophe Novelli’s dishes. This will also give her a chance to stay at the Novelli Academy in the Hertfordshire countryside.
You can also try to give her the Postal Garden Design Package. With this, you can give her the garden she always dreamed of! She will only have to complete a site survey and answer a comprehensive questionnaire regarding her current garden. With this information, a professional garden designer can make detailed designs based on the preferences provided. Aside from that, she can also get some gardening hints and tips, plus a comprehensive planting scheme.
Finally, one of the best 40th birthday gifts you can give her is a Personal Shopping Experience. She could, for example, get the services of a personal shopper at the House of Fraser. This will begin with a consultation on the kind of style she has and what pieces she’s looking for, followed by the consultant picking out some items for her, and of course, the fitting. In addition to that, she could get a small makeover, some vouchers to spend at the House of Fraser, and a goodie bag filled with samples.
So, here are just a few ideas- try one for size.